Thread controller for sewing machines



6 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Wnto'z June 21, 1932- N. v. CHRISTENSEN ET AL THREAD CONTROLLER FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Aug. 2, 1928 l n 1932- N. v. CHRISTENSEN ET AL 1,364,407

THREAD CONTROLLER FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Aug. 2, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 1932- N. v. CHRISTENSEN ET AL 1,364,407

THREAD CONTROLLER FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Aug. 2, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 P w (3, in: H 4 5' as st -i .27 l

June 1932- N v. CHRISTENSEN ET AL 1,364,407

THREAD CONTROLLER FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Aug. 2, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 21,1932. N. v. CHRISTENSEN ET AL 1,854,407-

THREAD CONTROLLER FOR SEWING MACHINES- Filed Aug. 2, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 1-9 THTFIIIIlIIIIIIE 7 June 21, 1932. N. v. CHRISTENSEN ET AL 1,864,407

THREAD CONTROLLER FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Aug. 2, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet e Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NORMAN V. CHRISTENSEN, CHARLES IF. RUBEL, AND FREDERICK F. ZEIER, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO UNION SPECIAL MACHINE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS THREAD CONTROLLER FOR SEWING MACHINES Application filed August 2, 1928. Serial No. 297,059.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in thread controllers for sewing machines, and more particularly to a thread controller having a rotating thread controlling element.

An object ofthe invention is to provide a rotating thread controlling element having guides associated therewith so that the thread engages the thread controlling element in a plane at right angles to the rotation of said element and wherein means is provided for casting the thread ofi from the thread controlling element while the same is rotating.

A further object of the invention is to provide a thread controlling means of the above type wherein the cast-off member may be adjusted so that the time when the thread is cast ofi may be varied.

A further object of the invention is to provide a thread controlling element of the above character wherein the threadvcontrolling element is so designed as to take up and give up thread twice for each cycle of rotation of the thread controlling element.

. A further object of the invention is to provide a thread controlling mechanism of the above type wherein a plurality of threads may be simultaneously and independently acted upon by the thread controlling element.

A still further object .of the invention is to provide a thread controlling mechanism of the above type wherein the'action of the thread controller on each of the several threads may be of a diiferent'character.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the'drawings Fig. 1 is a side view of a portion of a sewing machine embodying the improvements.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. V

Fig. 4 is a side View of a portion of the machine. j

Fig. 5 is a view from the insideof the casing showing the device for guiding the threads as they leave the'thread controller.

Fig. 6 is a detail showing in side andedge view the guide arm over which the threads are led from the controller.

I Fig. 7 is a detail showing in side and edge view the thread guides to which the threads pass after leaving the controller.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the thread controlling member.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the same.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the thread con troller from a different view point.

Fig. 11 's a detail showing side and edge views of the cast-oif carried by the controller.

Fig. 12 is a view showing more or less diagrammatically the needle and the looper, with the looper at the forward end of its stroke. e t

Fig. 13 is a viewpartly in section showing the controller as positioned when the looper is at the forward end of its stroke. v

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but showing the looper as on itsretracting stroke and the needle point well into the looper thread triangle.

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 13, but showing the relation of the controller to the looper thread with the looper positioned as inFig. 14. i

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 12, but showing the looper further retracted.

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 15, but showing the looper thread cast off from the take-up cam of the controller.

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 12. but showing the looper at the rear end of its stroke.

Fig. 19 is a view similar to- Fig. 13, but showing the controller aspositioned for again takingup the looper thread on the forward movement. of the looper.

Fig. 20 is a detail in plan of the parts as shown in Fig. 15, the thread guides being omitted and only one thread being shown.

The invention is directed to a thread controller for sewing machines, and more-particularly to a thread controller'wherein the controlling element rotates continuously, and wherein-the threads which are engaged by the thread controller are led across the same -in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of the controller. The

the threads.

the controller and rotate therewith.

controller may be used for a single thread, but it is especially adapted for a plurality of threads where it is desired that the control of the several threads shall be independent and, when desired, of a different character or extent. The thread is led from the supply through suitable thread guides and thence across the thread controller in the manner stated. After leaving the thread controller the threads pass through self-threading guides which preferably include aguide bar over which the threads are laid and a slotted guide bar underneath which the threads are laid so that they may be led into the open ends of the slot. The guides are spaced from each 'oth'er'so that the threads passing across the controller lie in separate paths. The controller includes two spaced discs with the controlling cams positioned between these discs.

from each otherand'the outer faces of these radial portions engage the threads and force the threads out of alignment with the guides through which they pass, thus taking up on The thread controller is preferably provided with a cast-off associated with each controlling cam, which, at the proper time, casts the thread off from the outer surface of the radial cam into a groove or recess alongside of the cam. This gives up slack quickly to the threads which is especially desirable in connection with the control of the looper threads.

These cast offs are adjustably mounted on At the opposite side of the take-up earns the con troller is provided with radially projecting portions which again take up and give up the thread during the cycle of rotation of the thread controlling element. These thread engaging faces for the several threads may bespaced at different distances from the center of rotation of the controlling element andthus the character of the control on the thread varied.

the invention is shown as applied to a sewing machine consisting of a frame 1 carrying a housing 2 in which is mounted a main ac'tuatingshaft 8. In the present embodiment of the invention three threads are shown. Thesethreads are indicated at 1, 1, and 1 Each thread passes through asuitable tension 4 and thence to a thread guiding eye formed in a bracket arm 5 secured to the frame of the machine. These thread guides for the respective looper threads are indicated at 6, 6, and 6 The thread controlling mechanism includestwo discs 7 and 8 between which is the thread: controlling element 9. These parts are attached to a hub 10 which is secured to the shaft by suitable set screws 11.

This thread controlling element 9 is provided with-spaced radially-projecting cam portions 12, 12, and 12 These portions are spaced from each other forming recesses or grooves 13, 13 at one side of each cam. One face of the projecting portion is substantially straight as indicated at 14. The other side is inactive and is in part straight and in part undercut as indicated at 15. The outer face of these cam portions is curved about the axis of the shaft as a center. as indicated at 16. It is thisface 16. on each cam which is the active face in connection with the control of the threads.

The thread guides 6, 6, and 6 are so disposed that the threads are led therefrom across the thread controlling element so as to be engaged by these radially projecting cam portions on the thread controlling member. The thread controlling member is also provided with a radially projecting portion 17 which is substantially diametrically opposite the controlling cams just described.

This radially projecting portion 17 is provided with three faces 18, 18", and 18 which are set at diflerent distances from the axis of the rotating shaft. The face 19 of the controlling element is substantially straight and intersects the face 14 at an angle. At this angular intersection of these faces, the V- shaped notches 20, 20 and 20 have been provided. These notches serve as guides for the looper threads to maintain the threads in alignment with the control cams on the thread controlling element 9.

Also mounted-on this thread controlling element is a plate 21 which is secured thereto by a screw 22 passing through a slot 23 in the plate. 'By loosening this screw theplate may beadjusted in an endwise direction. The plate is provided with three cast-off members 24, 24, and 24: The outer face of each castoff member is inclined as indicated at 25. The position of the inclined face 25 of the cast-off member relative tothe thread engaging face 16 of the control cams is clearly indicated inEigs. 8 and 9, and the function of the same will: be described later.

The threads after leaving the thread controlling member pass underneath a bar 26 carried by'a bracket;27 formed with elongated slots 28. Associated with: this control bar 26 is a plate29 provided; with thread guiding slots 30, 30, and 30 These slots are open at their lower ends. The plate 29 is carried by a bracket arm 31 provided with slots 32. These plates are placed one against the other andare securedjby screws 33 passing through the slots to a swinging plate 34. This swinging plate 34' is'pivoted to a bracket member 35. The frame of the machine isformed with an opening 36' which is closed by this swinging plate and the bar 26 and plate 29 are secured to the inner face of the swinging member. The swinging member is slotted so that the threadsmay pass out through the frame and to theloopers. The threadsare la-i'd. over the bar 26 and then under the plate 29 and into the slots therein. The bar 26 is slightly offset from its shank so as to provide sufiicient clearance space for the threads to pass between the bar and the plate.

A latch 37 is provided for holding the swinging plate in closed position. As clearly shown in Fig. 4 the threads pass through slots 38 in the swinging plate and thence through a guiding means 39 from which they are led into the work supporting arm if one 'is present and to the loopers. There is a looper, of course, for each looper thread and one of the purposes of the invention is to provide a separate and individual control in a single rotating element for these separate looper threads. 1

In Fig. 12 of the drawings the end of the work supporting arm is indicated at 40 and a needle is indicated at 41. Only one needle and one looper have been shown and the operation of the thread controlling mechanism in connection with a single looper described. The looper is indicated at 42. The looper thread passes along the side of the arm in a] passage 43 and leads from the end of this passage to the heel of the looper and thence to the eye of the looper. When the looper is at the forward end of its stroke as shown in 1. Fig. 12, the thread controller 9 is so positiontated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 13.

As the controller rotates from the position shown in Fig. 13 to the position shown in Fig. 15, the looper has been retracted to the position shown in Fig. 14. At this time the needle point has passed below the looper thread and is well into the thread triangle so that the tension on the looper thread can be released and should be released in order to give up slack to the looper to move to the rear end of its stroke. IVhen the controller reaches the position shown in Fig. 15 the inclined face on the cast-off engages the looper thread resting in engagement with the curved face 16 of the take-up cam and crowds said thread off from the cam into the recess 18 alongside of the cam (see Fig. 20). Thus it is that the thread is given slack so that the looper can be retracted to the end of its stroke with ample slack thread to permit the movement thereof.

In Fig. 16, the looper is shown as only slightly retracted from the position shown in Fig. 14 and it is during this movement of the looper that the slack thread is given up to the-looper as clearly shown in Fig. 17.

In Fig. 18 the looper is shown at the rear end of its stroke and about to move forward into the needle thread loop. As the looper moves forward it is very essential that the looper thread shall be kept substantially taut and drawn back through the eye of the looper so as to prevent the looper thread from buckling between the eye of the looper and the previous stitch so that the looper thread will not interfere with the point of the looper entering the needle thread loop. As the looper moves forward the radially I projecting portion 17 of the thread controller engages the looper thread and the face 18 of the thread controller will be brought into contact with the looper thread. During the continued rotation of the thread controller the thread is again drawn on, and taken up, thus taking the slack out of the looper thread'in front. of the looper thread eye as the looper outer looper is farther from the thread guiding passage 43 in the arm and the shoulder at the end of the passage against which the threads are drawn as the loopers move forward and as they are retracted. The amount of thread necessary for the movement of the loopers to the rear end of their stroke is slightly different in character for the three loopers due to the distance of the loopers from the thread guiding shoulders referred to. When the loopers move forward it is desirable, therefore, that the extent to which the looper thread is taken up shall be different for the various loopers. The character of the control of the looper thread for each looper might possibly be said to be the same, but the extent of take-up should be slightly different in order to have a uniform control of the looper threads in the formation of the enchained thread loops and stitches. This is the reason that the faces 18, 18, and 18 are set at different radial distances from the axis of rotation of the thread controllingmember. There are other conditions under which the looper threads fora plurality of loopers should be drawn on to different extents and under certain conditions the character of control of the various looper threads should be different. It will be readily seen that in the thread controlling mechanism described, the faces, 18, 18', and 18 and also the faces 16, 16, 16 of the other thread controlling cams may be differently shaped and differently positioned as the control on each thread is independent of the control on all of the other threads.

While the invention is shown as applied to .a thread controlling mechanism for looper threads, it will be understood that it may be used in connection with any of the stitch forming elements to an advantage. It will be noted that the thread controlling element rotates continuously and is, therefore, free from back and forth movements. This rotating thread controlling element takes up and gives up thread without any excessive jerking or pull on the thread. Furthermore, it gives up and takes up thread twice during each cycle of rotation. This together with the independent control on the threads permits of variations in the construction and shaping of the parts so, that a very wide range of control on the threads may be obtained. It will be noted that the thread engaging portion of the thread controller, when it moves into engagement with the thread, moves in a direction away from the supply. It the thread should break, it is more likely to break adjacent the looper, and when the controller is rotating in a direction away from the supply the thread will rest lightly on the controller and the tension through which the thread passes will restrain the movement of the thread and prevent the thread from being entangled and wound onto the controlling element.

It is obvious, therefore, that various changes in the shaping and construction of the parts and in the arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a continuously rotating thread controlling element,-thread guides associated with said controlling ele ment and disposed so that the thread is led into engagement with the peripheral surface of the controlling element in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of said controlling element, said thread controlling element being shaped so as to take up and give up thread twice during each rotation of said controlling element.

2. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a continuously rotating thread controlling element, thread guides associated with said controlling element and disposed so that the thread is led into engagement with the controlling element in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation ofsaid controlling element, said thread controlling element having a "radially proje'etingcam adapted to engage the thread for taking up the same, and means movable with said controlling element for casting the thr'eadoti from the cam for giving slack thereto.

A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines includinga continuously taking up the same, means movable with said controlling element for casting the thread oil' from the cam for giving slack thereto, and devices whereby said cast-oii' means can be adjusted to different set positions on said controlling element. 7

4. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a continuously rotating thread controlling element, thread guides associated with said controlling element and disposed so as to direct a plurality of threads into engagement with the peripheral surface of the controlling element, each thread being in a separate plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of said controlling element, said thread controlling element being shaped soas to take up and give up thread twice curing each rotation of said controlling element.

5. A thread controlling mechanism vfor sewing machines including a continuously rotating thread controlling element, thread guides associated with said controlling element and disposed so as to direct a plurality of threads into engagement with the controlling element, each thread being in a separate plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of said controlling element, said thread controlling element having a radially projecting cam for eachthread arranged side by side and spaced from each other, and a cast-0E associated with each cam for casting the threads from the cams;

6. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a continuously rotating thread controlling element, thread guides associated with said controlling element and disposed so as to direct'a plurality of threads into engagement with the controlling element, each thread being in a separate plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of said controlling element, said thread controlling element having a radially projecting take-up cam for each thread, said cams being arranged side by side and spaced from each other, a plate secured to said thread controlling element and rotating therewith, said plate having a cast-off for each controlling cam, the outer end ot-which is inclined for casting the thread from'the take-up cam into the space alongside of the same when said inclined face is brought into contact with the thread with which it is associated.

7. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a continuously rotating thread controlling element, thread guides associated with said controlling element and disposed so as to direct a plurality of threads into engagement with the controlling element, each thread being in a separate plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of said controlling element, said thread controlling element having a radially projecting thread controlling cam for each thread, said cams being arranged side by side with their thread engaging faces at diiferent distances from the center of rotation of the thread controlling element.

8. VA thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a continuously rotating thread controlling element, thread guides associated with said controlling element and disposed so that the thread is led into engagement with the controlling element in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of said controlling element, said thread controlling element having radially projecting thread'controlling cams located substantially diametrically opposite each other for taking up and giving up the thread twice during each rotation of said controlling elemen. i

9. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a continuously rotating thread controlling element, thread guides associated with said controlling ele ment and disposed so that the thread is led into engagement with the controlling element in a plane at ri ht angles to the axis of rotation of said controlling element, said thread controlling element having radially projecting thread controlling cams located substantially diametrically opposite each other for taking up and giving up the thread twice during each rotation of said controlling element, and a cast-ofi' associated with one of said take-up cams for casting the thread off from the take-up cam for giving slack to the thread.

10. In a sewing machine, a thread carrying looper, a thread controlling mechanism for the looper thread including a continuously rotating thread controlling element, thread guides associated with said controlling element and disposed so that the thread is led into engagement with the peripheral surface of the controlling element in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of said element, said thread controlling element being shaped so as to take up thread on the first part of the retracting movement of the looper, to give up thread to the looper after the needle has entered the looper thread triangle, and to take up thread as the looper moves forward to enter the needle thread loop. 1

11. In a sewing machine, a thread carrying looper, a thread controlling mechanism for the looper thread including a continuously rotating thread controlling element, thread guides associated with said controlling element and disposed so that the thread is led into engagement with the controlling element in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of said element, said thread controlling element having a radially projectin take-up cam for engaging the looper threa for taking up the same on the first part of the retracting movement of the looper, and a second radially projecting take-up cam for taking up thread on the first part of the for- 7 Ward movement of the looper. 12. In a sewing machine, a'thread carrying looper, a thread controlling mechanism for the looper thread, including a continuously rotating thread controlling element,

thread guides associated with said control ling element and dis'posedso that the thread is led into engagement with the controlling element in a plane at right angles to theaxis of rotation of said element,'said thread controlling element having a radially projecting take-up cam for engaging the looper thread for taking up the same on the first part of the retracting movement of the looper, and a second radially projecting take-up cam for taking up thread on the first part of the forward movement of the looper, said thread controlling element having mounted thereon and moving therewith a cast ofi' for engaging the looper thread and casting the same from the first-named take-up cam'when the point of the needle is well into the looper thread triangle.

13. A sewing machine including in combination a plurality of needles, a thread carrying looper for each needle, a thread controlling mechanism for the looper threads comprising a rotating thread controlling element, a plurality of thread guides associated with said controlling element, said thread guides being disposed so as to direct the threads into engagement with the controlling element in independent spaced planes at right angles to the axis of rotation of the controlling element, said thread controlling element having the peripheral surface thereof provided with radially extending cam shaped portions for taking up the looper threads on the first part of the retracting movement of the loopers. then giving up the thread to the loopers and for taking up the looper threads on the first part of the forward movement of the loopers.

14. A sewing machine including in combination a plurality of needles, a thread carrying looper for each needle, a thread controlling mechanism for the looper threads comprising a rotating thread controlling element, a plurality of thread guides associated with said controlling. element, said'thread guides being disposed so as to direct the threads into engagement with the controlling element in independent spaced planes at right angles to the axis of rotation of the controlling element, said thread controlling element having a radially projecting take-up cam for'feachi'looper thread,said cams being disposed side by side and spaced from each other, a icast-offzmounted on the controlling element-and movable therewith for each'takeup cam,'said cast-oifs'being disposed so as to cast the threads from their respective takeup camswhen the points of the needles are well into the respective looper thread triangles.

15. A sewing machineiincluding in combinationapluralityof needles, a thread carrying :looper for each needle, a thread controlling :mechanism .forthe looper threads comprising a rotating thread controlling element, a plurality'of thread guides: associated with said controlling element,-.said thread guides being disposed so as to .direct the threads into engagement with the controlling element in independent spaced planes at right angles to the axis of rotationof the controllingelement, said thread controlling element including a radially projectingtakeup cam foreach looper thread, said takeup camsbeingrarranged side by side and at different distancesfrom the center of. rotation and operating to take up the respective looper threads .ontherfirstpart of the forward movement of thei'loopers.

16. Asewingmachine including a frame, a main shaft .located therein, a thread controlling element mountedon said shaft and rotating therewith, thread guides on said frameatone-side of said shaft for receiving and directingthe threads to the controlling element, a guide bar at the other side of said shaft over which the threads are led after leaving the thread controlling element, a plate having slots forming self-threading guides for the threads adjacent said bar, said thread-guides being disposed so as 'to' direct the threads in spaced parallel planes at right angles to the axis of the shaft.

17. A sewing machine including a frame, a main shaft located therein, a thread controllingelement mounted on said shaft and rotating therewith, thread guides on said frame-at :one .side of said shaft "for receiving -anddirecting the threads to'the controlling element aguide bar at the other sideof said shaft over which the threads are led after leaving the thread controlling element, a plate having slots forming self-threading guides for thevthreadsadj acent'said bar, said thread guides being disposed so as to direct the threads in spaced parallel planes'at right anglesto the axis of the shaft, said .frame having-a slotted swinging member on the inner-face of which said bar and slotted plate are mounted.

18. .A sewing machine including a frame, a main shaft located therein, a thread controlling element mounted on said shaft and rotating therewith, thread guides on said frameat one. side of said shaft for receiving and directing the threads to the controlling element, :a guideibar at the :other side 'nfilsaidi shaft: over 'which the: threads are led after leaving the. thread controlling element, a plate having slots forming self-threading guides forithe threadsiadjacent said bar, said thread guides being disposed so as to direct the threads in spaced parallel planes at right angles to the axis -'of the shaft, said frame having :a slotted swinging member on the innerface of which said bar and slotted plate are mounted, and means for sup-portingisaid bar and'said plate whereby thesame maybe adjusted relative to each other and tosai'd swinging member.

19. .A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machinesincluding airotatable thread controlling element havin means adapted to engage'the thread for ta ing up the same, thread guides associated with said controlling element and so disposed that the thread is. led .intov engagement with the peripheral surface thereof, and. means whereby the thread isishifted laterally of the plane of rotation of. the talreeup means and cast from said take-up means.

20. .A thread controlling mechanism for sewingmachines including airotatable thread controlling'elementihaving means adapted to engage the thread.for taking up the same, thread guides. associated with said controlling elementiand so disposed that the thread is led in a'planeat substantially right angles to the axis ioftrotation ofisaid controlling elementinto engagement with the peripheral surface thereof, and means whereby said thread shifted laterally on said take up means'and cast therefrom.

21.. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machinesfincluding a rotatable thread controlling element havingmeans adapted to engage the thread 'for taking up thesame, thread guides associated with said controlling element andisodisposed that the thread is led in a plane at substantially right angles to the axisof rotation of said controlling element into engagement with the peripheral surface thereof, and'means movable'with said controlling element whereby said thread is shifted laterally on said take-up means and cast-therefrom.

22. .A thread? controlling mechanism for sewingmachinesincluding a rotatable thread controlling element having radially projecting members adapted to engage the threads for taking up thesa'me, thread guides associated. with said thread controlling element andso disposed that a threadis led in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of said controlling element into engagement'with the peripheral surface of each of said radially project-ing members, and means whereby the threads are shifted laterally' ontheir respective thread engaging members and cast therefrom.

23. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a rotatable thread controlling element having radially pro ecting members adapted to engage the threads for taking up the same, thread guides associated with said thread controlling element and so disposed that a thread is led in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of said controlling element into engagement with the peripheral surface of each of said radially projecting members, and means movable with said thread controlling element whereby the threads are shifted laterally on their respective thread engaging members and cast therefrom.

24. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a rotatable thread controlling element having two sets of radially projecting members operating to take up and give up thread twice during each rotation of said controlling element, one set of said radially projecting members being provided with thread engaging faces, thread guides associated with said controlling element and so disposed that a thread is led in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of the controlling element into engagement with the peripheral surface of each of said thread engaging faces, and means whereby the threads are shifted laterally on said thread engaging faces and cast therefrom during each rotation of the thread controlling element.

25. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a rotatable thread controlling element having radially projecting thread engaging faces constructed so as to take up the threads to a different extent during the rotation of said controlling element, and thread guides associated with said controlling element and so disposed that the thread is led in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of said controlling element into engagement with the peripheral surface of the respective thread engaging faces.

26. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a rotatable thread controlling element having radially projecting thread engaging faces constructed so as to take up the threads to a different extent during the rotation of said controlling element, thread guides associated with said controlling element and so disposed that the thread is led in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of said controlling element into engagement with the peripheral surface of the respective thread engaging faces, said thread controlling element also having radially projecting thread engaging faces laterally spaced from each other with which said threads respectively make engagement, and means for shifting the threads laterally on said last-named thread gngaging faces for casting the same thererom.

27. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a rotatable thread controlling element having means adapted to engage the thread for taking up the same, means for guiding a thread from the supply in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of said thread controlling element into engagement with the peripheral surface thereof, and means for rotating said thread controlling element so that the thread engaging surface thereof engages the thread and moves away from the supply as it takes up the thread.

28. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a rotatable thread controlling element having a radially projecting thread engaging surface for taking up thread, thread guides associated therewith for directing the thread into engagement with the thread engaging surface, means for moving the thread laterally on the thread engaging surface and casting the same therefrom, and a thread guide carried by the thread controlling element and located in advance of the thread engaging face for engaging the thread and positioning said thread for engagement by the thread engaging face.

29. A thread controlling mechanism for sewing machines including a rotatable thread controlling element having a radially projecting thread engaging surface for taking up the thread, thread guides associated with said thread controlling element and so disposed that the thread is led in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of said controlling element into engagement with the thread engaging surface, said thread controlling element being cut away radiallyat one side of the thread engaging surface, and means for engaging the thread for shifting the same laterally on the thread engaging surface and casting the thread therefrom into said cut away space, the thread controlling element being shaped so as to engage the thread after it is cast from the thread engaging surface for gradually giving up thread to the looper.

In testimony whereof, we aflix our signatures.

NORMAN V. CHRISTENSEN. CHARLES F. RUBEL. FREDERICK F.- ZEIER. 

